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Clean and sharpen knives and secateurs, and spray metal tools with oilPut up nesting boxes for birds in suitable trees or on buildingsMove shrubs growing in the wrong placeService petrol lawn mowersSearch through seed, bulb and nursery catalogues

Empty your greenhouse and thoroughly clean inside, pressure washing the frame, staging and glazingCut back overwintered fuchsias, and increase frequency of watering to encourage new growthSow summer bedding plantsMonitor temperatures with a max

Choosing secateursImproving your lawnCutting a clean lawn edgeView a selection of vegetable plants Browse a variety of hardy perennials

a clean lawn edgeHow to mow a lawn effectivelyBrowse a selection of grass varietiesView plants by soil type

Carol Klein offers a practical guide to spotting and treating peony wilt, with tips on cleaning secateurs to avoid reinfection.summerMore advice on growing flowersCaring for peoniesGrowing lupinsPlanting out cerinthesGrowing dahlias from seed

Move plants from greenhouse to cold frame, to acclimatise to cooler temperatures before planting outDig out new ponds and water featuresClean and sharpen secateurs and garden knivesBuy summer-flowering bulbs now, while the best choice of varieties

unwanted suckers growing around the base of trees and shrubsLift large waterlilies from ponds, divide and replant themClean pond pumps and filters, and make sure they are working properlyHand weed alpine and rock gardens

Add lawn cuttings to the compost heap, or use them to mulch around fruit trees Mow and edge your lawnTie stems of tall perennials to supportsFeed houseplants every week with a liquid fertiliserClean out filters of pond pumps to get rid of any debris

branches breaking under its weightSpread a mulch of compost over borders and around trees, shrubs and rosesClean algae and moss from paths and stepsSprinkle a top dressing of gritty compost over lawns

Plant winter salads in guttering or growing bagsCheck heaters are working efficientlyClean staging and wash capillary matting to use next summerLine greenhouses with bubble polythene for insulationBring pots of tender bulbs, like agapanthus